When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

In the past 30 years, light artists have reimagined an art form that has always had the ability to turn the night sky, or a simple window, into luminescence. Last fall, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts turned its southern glass wall into a parade of sound-sensing lights, Lightswarm, that changes with the movements of nearby people and things. Future Cities Lab, the San Francisco design company behind Lightswarm, has originated another notable light sculpture. Located by the YBCA's steps at 701 Mission, Murmur Wall will light up in arresting ways as it incorporates local trending search engine results and social media postings. Onlookers can offer their own contributions, which will feed into the Murmur Wall's data stream and light up the sculpture. What's trending in San Francisco? If you're walking by the YBCA, you can see firsthand — at least through light patterns that reflect the city's volatile internet habits.
Murmur Wall debuts Thursday at 6 p.m. and continues through May 31, 2017, at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F. Free; 415-978-2700 or ybca.org. More

There are a number of reasons why you should see a show at The Regency Ballroom — its ornate, turn-of-the-century architecture and eclectic lineup of performers, to name a few — but no reason is more compelling than the venue's ample seating.

Bar Association gives its qualified support for judge

If ABC News were covering local elections, George Stephanopoulos might have already called the San Francisco judicial race for the incumbent, Superior Court Judge Thomas Mellon Jr. Last week, the Bar Association of San Francisco named Mellon the only qualified candidate for the position, to the chagrin of his challengers, criminal defense attorney Mary Mallen and termed-out Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval, who were both deemed "not qualified."

Mellon's campaign spokesman, Jim Ross, said the assessment has helped deliver new donations, campaign volunteers, and momentum, and added that we should expect to hear more before Election Day. "I'm certain you will see the bar's rankings distributed to a large number of folks in San Francisco," he said.

Mellon's challengers, meanwhile, have tried to downplay the evaluations. Mallen conceded to the Chronicle and the legal press that she might have given the Bar Association incomplete details about herself, which might have contributed to her rating.

Sandoval, on the other hand, was more defiant. In a statement, he alleged that the Bar Association panel he met with was "stacked with downtown corporate lawyers, career prosecutors, and others who have made public statements opposing my candidacy." The association's 21-member judicial committee, however, is actually quite diverse, according to bar president Jim Donato. It includes an attorney from the Legal Aid Society and several plaintiff lawyers; almost half the members are women. "It is about as far from a downtown boys' club as it could possibly be," he said.

Sandoval referred a call about the evaluations to a Simi Valley political consultant, Marc O'Hara, who stepped up Sandoval's political attack against Mellon. O'Hara said Mellon is one of the last remaining "egregiously unqualified judges" appointed by former Republican Governor Pete Wilson, and that Mellon is "preposterously out of step" to be a San Francisco judge.

It's worth noting that the local Bar Association didn't give Mellon the top rating ("exceptionally well qualified"), or even the second-best rating ("well qualified"). Mellon said the candidate ratings were "absolutely appropriate on all counts" and he was very happy with the results. But asked if he is truly well qualified for the job, he ducked the question.

Slideshows

Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"